Author Archives: expressyourself4him

Change Your Name or Change Your Direction?

Posted on February 20, 2016 by expressyourself4him

Alexander the third of Macedon reigned from 356 Before Christ to 323. Alexander spent most of his time as ruler sweeping through Asia and Northeast Africa on an unprecedented military campaign. One story I recently heard about Alexander makes him the great as history remembers him. During one battle, a fellow solider fled the scene, retreating from the action. Observing from a distance, the ruler couldn’t help himself, addressing this coward, quickly catching him on his horse. The Great confronts this man, “what’s your name Soldier,” Alexander he replied. Disturbed, Alexander looked this man straight in the eyes yelling, “change your name or change your direction?”

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ, Romans 10:17.

When the United States of America was founded in the late 17th century, pilgrims fled England for religious freedom. In the centuries that have followed, immigrants left their home country to discover and live the American dream. Unfortunately, groups like the ACLU have embraced spirits of disrespect, encouraging a new generation to burn and trample the flag which so many have died to protect. If Alexander the Great returned today to lead this country, I’m sure he’d lead a passionate plea to change your name or change your direction.

That your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God, 1 Corinthians 2:5.

Unfortunately, this is just the tip of the ice berg. As Christians go full steam ahead, the name doesn’t mean what it use to. A lack of biblical understanding, years of compromise and worldly influences have turned the faith of many in a different direction. Blending in like a chameleon, its hard to tell Christians from ordinary people. Perhaps the Amish are right, trying to hold on to biblical values without being corrupted by modern conveniences. Whatever the reason, I feel an urgent sense to profess the words of Alexander the Great to those floundering in their faith, “change your direction or change your religion.”

by Jay Mankus

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The Heartbeat of Heaven

Posted on February 19, 2016 by expressyourself4him

Inside the human body, the sinoatrial node serves as the heart’s pacemaker.  Within the right atrium, electrical activity in the form of impulses initializes a small bundle of specialized cells.  As currents spread throughout the walls of the atria, contractions begin to alternate and relax, allowing blood to naturally flow through the heart.  These intricacies point to a Creator, designing the miracle called life.

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh, Ezekiel 26:36.

The Bible is filled with analogies and imagery relating to the heart.  King Solomon calls the heart the well spring of life.  Yet, the prophet Jeremiah reveals a secret and dark side, like a poison which can contaminate your soul.  However, Jesus leaves no question about the role of the heart on earth.  The Lord gave human beings a heart for one purpose, to love one another.  This is the heart beat of heaven.

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends, John 15:12-13.

Near the end of his earthly ministry, Jesus shares some final instructions to his disciples, preparing them for his death and life after his ascension into heaven.  Trying to keep things simply, Jesus suggests love is a barometer of your faith.  Depending upon your level of commitment, lives will either be grazed, touched or impacted by your degree of love.  Regardless of where you are spiritually, its never too late to ask for a heart of love so that the heart beat of heaven can be felt on earth.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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Hope on Trial

Posted on February 18, 2016 by expressyourself4him

An optimist will view hope as expecting the bright side with rose colored glasses.  Meanwhile, the pessimist will suggest hope is a pipe dream, some sort of utopia that no longer exists.  Thus, whenever an actor, actress or politician expresses reliance on an unseen God, hope is put on trial.

And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today, Acts 26:6.

When asked to address charges made by the Jewish officials, the apostle Paul suggests that his trial is based upon his hope in God’s promises.  Unable to recognize Jesus as their Messiah and Savior of the world, tradition prevented religious leaders of Paul’s day from seeing the fulfillment of the Old Testament Scriptures.  Thus, his new found faith was put on trial.

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, Deuteronomy 31:6.

To keep hope alive today from being put to death, the faith community must take hold of the words of Moses.  Despite what your critics may say, cling to this promise of God going with you throughout life.  Therefore, do not give up this fight, to protect hope.  Rather, lean on God’s faithfulness by living out your faith daily.

by Jay Mankus

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Re-Aligning Your Faith

Posted on February 17, 2016 by expressyourself4him

If you have a car long enough, sooner or later it will have to go into the shop for service.  Whether you have your own dealership, mechanic or repair center, this maintenance must be completed if you want your vehicle to last.  Beside regular oils changes and tire rotation, you may need to get your car re-aligned.  Symptoms include drifting to one side, vibrations in your steering wheel or a steering column which shifts to a side despite driving straight.

Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living, Luke 15:13.

Depending upon the roads you travel upon, crumbling pavement and pot holes can speed up this process.  Hitting one bad spot can do severe damage or lead to a blow out.  Unfortunately, these events usually occur at the worst time, resulting in accidents, delays or pricey fixes.  Those who use public transit don’t have these same concerns.  However, anyone who drifts off course, experiences heart break or becomes crooked needs spiritual healing.

There is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one, Romans 3:11-12.

Looking to the world for answers to life’s problems is like going to a mechanic who doesn’t know your car or don’t know what they are doing.  However, the apostle Paul isn’t afraid to state the obvious, everyone is imperfect.  Thus, everyone needs to get their faith re-aligned, back in accordance with the Bible.  Therefore, don’t try this on your own.  Rather, reach out to others for prayer, support and wisdom until the Holy Spirit helps re-align your life.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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What the Hell are You Doing?

Posted on February 16, 2016 by expressyourself4him

Every so often I am surprised by something I hear.  Sometimes its a conversation, an interview or watching another star athlete get into trouble.  Yet, this morning as I was critiquing the driver’s in front of me, I heard God’s voice whisper to me, “what the hell are you doing?”

Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools, Ecclesiastes 7:9.

It’s easy to point the finger at others, exposing people’s flaws, imperfections and weaknesses.  However, when the criticism is pointed in your direction, its hard to accept.  Like a blind spot in a car’s mirror, I guess I’ve been carrying on with my life without seeing who or what I’ve become.  The best response to my growing impatience is “what the hell am I doing?”

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; James 1:19.

According to Solomon, my recent commentary of bad drivers is foolish.  While my mind thinks these observations are accurate, a first century apostle refers to my behavior as selfish and judgmental.  What I’m actually doing is being a poor example of Christ.  Thus, the next time you find yourself looking in the rear view mirror, wondering the the hell the driver behind you is doing, reflect on God’s Word, the Bible, to see how you can better represent Jesus in the the future.  Change now or you too may hear God say, “what the hell are you doing?”

by Jay Mankus

 

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Novel Concepts for Developing a Sound Mind

Posted on February 15, 2016 by expressyourself4him

If you watch cable news or listen to talk radio, it won’t before an opposing opinion makes your blood boil, expressing a polar opposite worldview from what you hold.  When you add in the over dramatization of television along with paranoia expressed through future projections of pending storm systems, its hard to remain calm or maintain a sound mind.  Subsequently, I have tried to limit my intake of the media to weekends.  This novel concept has led to positive outcome so far in 2016.

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful, Joshua 1:8.

After Moses retires, Joshua is chosen to lead Israel into the promised land.  However, the Lord is clear, providing careful instructions for God’s people to follow.  Trying to find a way around this system, Achan learns the hard way in Joshua 7, stoned to death along with his entire family.  If only Achan listened to Joshua the first time, mediating on the Torah, his fate would have been different.  Unfortunately, listening and doing are two different things.  Another novel concept is obedience, which must be demonstrated first prior to tasting prosperity and success.

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline, 2 Timothy 1:7.

The final novel concept to developing a sound mind is discipline.  You don’t have to sleep all day, watch television for hours or waste countless hours playing video games.  According to one of the apostles, God provides the Holy Spirit in times of decision.  Don’t allow a weakened work ethic to give into temptation.  Feeling defeated is a choice, an attitude for losers.  Therefore, tap into God’s Spirit so that when your flesh is weak, Christ power is strong, propelling you toward a sound mind.

by Jay Mankus

 

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When Religion Drives You Insane

Posted on February 14, 2016 by expressyourself4him

I’ve heard many nightmares of how seminary can radically transform individuals for the good and bad.  Knowledge has a way of puffing up egos, encouraging once humble individuals to question those currently in spiritual leadership positions.  Depending upon the ideology taught at certain institutions, the gullible, naive and ungrounded can be swayed to embrace religion over a relationship with God.  This is just one example of how religion can drive someone insane.

At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane,” Acts 26:24.

In the case of Paul from Tarsus, his peers from the synagogue felt betrayed.  After a dramatic transformation on the road to Damascus, Paul’s Jewish friends didn’t recognize him anymore.  This resentment festered causing the chief priest and religious leaders to arrest Paul on false charges.  During his trial in front of newly elected governor Festus and King Agrippa, Paul testifies to his conversion to the Way, rejecting Judaism for a personal relationship with Christ.  Halfway through, Festus came to the conclusion that his new found faith was driving Paul insane.

“I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable, Acts 26:25.

So who’s right?  Are Christians insane for following an invisible God?  Are traditional religions crazy to holding on to traditions more than a thousand year old?  Or is there a middle ground, where faith and tradition can co-exist?  Matthew 10 sums up what Jesus thought about this topic, as religion can create division even within households.  Thus, while outsiders may call you names, tease or ridicule you, stand firm in the faith til the end.  The next time a friend thinks you’ve lost it, lean on the Holy Spirit to give you the words to make a reasonable defense.

“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword,” Matthew 10:34.

by Jay Mankus

 

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I Don’t Care How Long It Takes

Posted on February 13, 2016 by expressyourself4him

In life, there are some battles worth fighting for and others you simply have to let go to walk away.  People will experience periods when you think, “what did I do to deserve us?”  Followed by moments that leave individuals pondering, “I can’t believe I got out of that unscathed.”  How you respond to these ordeals often shapes your character.  In the case of a king, punished by God for taking a census, David didn’t care what it took as long as God had mercy on the nation of Israel.

David said to Gad, “I am in deep distress. Let us fall into the hands of the LORD, for his mercy is great; but do not let me fall into human hands,” 2 Samuel 24:14.

To survive for the long haul, you must develop a specific mindset.  If you celebrate victories only to wilt under defeat, you’ll never get very far in this life.  Thus, its essential to look at the big picture, set goals accordingly and persevere until you reach your desired destination.  As for the apostle Paul, he began to adopt a motto for his earthly ministry.  I don’t care how long it takes as long as you enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ before I die.

Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains,” Acts 26:29.

After reading this portion of the Bible, I came to an obvious conclusion, why don’t I apply this mentality to my own life.  Whether its clinging to a desired outcome, seeing a dream fulfilled or wrestling with God in prayer, it doesn’t matter how long it takes as long as you taste success at some point.  Therefore, don’t let one, two or several setbacks cause you to give up hope.  Rather, arm yourself with a warrior’s mindset, resolving to maintain steadfast in battle until the Lord allows you to experience the fruits of your labor.

by Jay Mankus

 

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For Pete Sake

Posted on February 12, 2016 by expressyourself4him

As pitchers and catchers make their way to Spring Training in Florida and Arizona next week, this signifies the commencement of another Major League Baseball season.  Since baseball is the first sport I played as a kid, it holds a special place in my heart.  I remember watching Charlie Hustle, Pete Rose’s nickname, thinking, “that’s the way this game is suppose to be played.”  Unfortunately, Pete’s transgressions as a manager, placing bets on his own team, the Cincinnati Reds, has tarnished his image, making Rose ineligible for the Hall of Fame and banished from MLB.

And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses,” Mark 11:25.

I played baseball for nine years, quitting after my sophomore year of high school to pursue golf.  However, my last coach played in the minor leagues with Pete Rose before blowing out his knee prior to ACL surgeries.  This injury motivated Coach Dillon to push his players, hoping one or more might reach the big leagues.  To my surprise, Pete Rose agreed to be our key note speaker at my final baseball banquet.  After major reconstructive surgery, I met with Pete for about five minutes before he spoke.  While everyone has their opinions of Pete in the media, he couldn’t have been nicer or more sincere.  This lasting memory makes me want to see a happy ending between Rose and Major League Baseball.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you, Ephesians 4:32.

Sometimes pride prevents adults from doing the right thing.  Bad feelings, egos and revenge often get’s in the way, causing individuals to take grudges to their graves.  Thus, there is a segment of baseball people who still blame Pete Rose for commissioner Bart Giamatti’s death in 1989, the person who banned him for life.  Though Rose deserves to be banned from coaching and the front office, it doesn’t make sense to keep the all times hits leader out of the hall of fame.  Therefore, for Pete’s sake, don’t let this linger until his death like Shoeless Joe Jackson during the 1919 Black Sox scandal.  Rather, make Pete Rose eligible for the hall and allow the baseball writers to make the final call.  Let me know if you agree or disagree.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Making A Deal with the King of Sodom

Posted on February 11, 2016 by expressyourself4him

From time to time, you might find yourself in a precarious situation.  When under pressure, you might make a rash decision, forcing the issue without thinking about the consequences of an action.  Before you pull the trigger in the future, perhaps its better to wait and see if Lord is in agreement until making a deal with the King of Sodom.

After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh, Genesis 14:17.

As one king came to meet Abram, another, the King of Salem brought bread and wine.  Serving as a priest of the Most High God, Melchizedek blessed Abram and give him a tenth of everything he had.  This visit provided Abram with the assurance of deliverance, that God would be faithful to protect God’s people from their enemies.  The thought of a potential compromise was no longer necessary.

That I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich, Genesis 14:23.

This passage of the Old Testament teaches a valuable life lesson.  If you place your trust solely in the Lord, you won’t be obligated to another party or person.  Like Jesus’ words in the Our Father, Matthew 6:9-15, our hope should be placed in Christ alone to provide daily bread.  Therefore, do not waver in your faith as temptation approaches.  Rather, follow the words of Proverbs 3:5-6 so that you won’t be swayed by deals from the king of Sodom.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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